Chandigarh University's Ph.D. in Psychology is a 3-year full-time doctoral program designed to conduct world-class research that assists in understanding and shaping human well-being. The program emphasizes both research and clinical exposure in various areas of Psychology including Child Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Organizational Psychology, Positive Psychology, Health Psychology, and Guidance and Counseling. With a total fee of ₹4.38 lakhs and research fellowships of up to ₹35,000 per month, this program is popular among researchers seeking advanced qualifications in psychology. The program is offered in full-time on-campus mode, requiring regular attendance and engagement with faculty and research activities.
Admissions for the July 2026 intake are currently ongoing. The application window opened on 6th April 2026 and closes on 23rd April 2026 (till 4:30 PM). The Ph.D. Entrance Examination is scheduled for 26th April 2026, with results expected on 5th May 2026. Interview results will be announced on 25th May 2026, followed by admission notifications from 26th May to 15th June 2026.
Key Points
- Research-Intensive Program: Emphasis on high-impact research publications with funding up to ₹2 lakhs for Q1 journal publications and full financial support for patent filing.
- Diverse Research Areas: Coverage of Child Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Organizational Psychology, Positive Psychology, Health Psychology, Guidance and Counseling, and other specialized areas of psychological research.
- Mentorship by Top Scientists: Guidance from doctoral faculty ranked among the world's top 2% scientists (Stanford Global List 2025) with expertise in psychology and human behavior research.
- International Research Collaborations: Access to 250+ collaborations with renowned institutions in 60 countries for dual supervision and joint research projects.
- Research Fellowships: Full-time research fellowship of ₹35,000 per month and funding for conference travel and research dissemination.
CU Ph.D. (Psychology) Fees
The Ph.D. Psychology program at Chandigarh University involves a structured fee breakdown covering tuition, examination, security, and admission charges. The total investment for the 3-year program is ₹4.38 lakhs, which includes all mandatory fees. Students should note that fees are non-refundable once the admission process is initiated, and payment can be made through online or offline modes. Additionally, full-time research fellowships of ₹35,000 per month are available for eligible candidates.
Fee Structure
| Fee Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|
| Semester Fee (per semester, 6 semesters total) | ₹70,000 |
| Examination Fee | ₹2,500 |
| Security Deposit | ₹5,000 |
| Admission Fee | ₹10,000 |
| Total Fees (3-year program) | ₹4,38,000 |
- The security deposit is refundable upon completion of the program.
- Examination fees are non-refundable.
- Application/registration fee for the entrance test is ₹1,100 INR (non-refundable).
- Full-time research fellowship of ₹35,000 per month is available for eligible candidates.
- Up to ₹2 lakhs funding is provided for Q1 journal publications.
- No EMI options are currently available; full payment is required as per the semester schedule.
CU Ph.D. (Psychology) Admission 2026
The Ph.D. Psychology program follows a merit-based admission process with a structured entrance examination and interview. Candidates are selected based on their performance in the CU Ph.D. Entrance Test, followed by a personal interview. The admission process is transparent and competitive, ensuring that only qualified candidates with strong academic backgrounds and research aptitude in psychology are selected. The program welcomes candidates from diverse educational backgrounds who are committed to advancing knowledge in psychological research and practice.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| Online Application Start | 6th April 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 23rd April 2026 (4:30 PM) |
| Ph.D. Entrance Examination | 26th April 2026 |
| Entrance Test Result | 5th May 2026 |
| Interview Result | 25th May 2026 |
| Admission Notification | 26th May - 15th June 2026 |
| Expected Program Start (July Intake) | July 2026 |
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must hold a Master's degree with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate or 5.5 CGPA on a 10-point scale, followed by qualifying the CU Ph.D. Entrance Test and interview. Alternatively, candidates with a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 75% marks or 7.5 CGPA are also eligible to apply. A relaxation of 5% marks is provided for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer), Differently-Abled, and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) candidates. Candidates who have qualified UGC NET/JRF, CSIR NET/JRF, GATE, or have completed M.Phil. are exempted from the entrance test.
Admission Process
Candidates must register online on the official Chandigarh University website and complete their application form. After registration, candidates download the application form and bank challan, deposit the application fee of ₹1,100 INR through online or offline mode, and submit the completed application with supporting documents to admission.phd@cumail.in. Shortlisted candidates are called for a personal interview to assess their research aptitude, communication skills, and knowledge of psychology. Final selection is based on entrance test score and interview performance.
CU Ph.D. (Psychology) Scholarships 2026
Chandigarh University offers multiple scholarship opportunities for Ph.D. students to support their research and academic pursuits. Merit-based scholarships are available for high-performing candidates, and additional financial assistance is provided through research grants, teaching assistant stipends, and publication incentives. The university also offers scholarships for SC/ST candidates, defence personnel's wards, and economically weaker sections through various government-sponsored schemes. International students are eligible for up to 50% scholarship for meritorious candidates.
Scholarship Details
| Scholarship Type | Eligibility | Amount/Benefit |
|---|
| Merit-Based Scholarship (CUCET) | Qualifying CUCET with high scores | Up to 100% of semester fees |
| Full-Time Research Fellowship | Full-time Ph.D. students | ₹35,000 per month |
| Q1 Journal Publication Grant | Published in Q1 indexed journals | Up to ₹2,00,000 per publication |
| International Student Scholarship | Meritorious international students | Up to 50% of fees |
| Post Graduate Scholarship for SC/ST | SC/ST candidates in professional courses | ₹4,500-7,800 per month (2-3 years) |
| Armed Forces Educational Welfare Scheme (AFEWS) | Wards/spouses of defence personnel | 20% fee concession |
- Scholarships are renewable annually based on maintaining a minimum 7.5 CGPA and no semester drops.
- Multiple scholarships cannot be availed simultaneously.
- Scholarship discontinuation occurs if students fail to maintain academic standards or engage in disciplinary violations.
- Research fellowships and publication grants are subject to research output and publication standards.
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